Klitschko looked to be on his way out of the bout in the fifth – Joshua bullied him to the canvas and split his eyelid open in the process.

“I got caught and the blood streamed into my eye,” he recalled. “It was hard, I couldn’t see. I have always been a fan of his talent. I think he’s vulnerable, and that is something he will need to work on but you have to respect him today… He’s athletic like no other fighter, he has lots of punching power but not as much speed.”

Klitschko said he didn’t have an off night, and could improve if a sequel was made. For now, though, the old master should feel proud of the part he played in one of boxing history’s greatest heavyweight fights.

“I’m happy,” he said. “I end up fighting in front of a bigger crowd than before I lost [to Fury]. I think we both did great tonight and did a lot for the sport. It was a great night for boxing, a great night for the fans. I don’t feel like someone who lost, but I didn’t get the belts. But I don’t feel like I lost.”